California’s DNA database is shrinking in size and that means law enforcement agencies are having a tough time accessing some key evidence for solving cold cases.

It could be called an unintended consequence of Proposition 47, which was passed by California voters nearly three years ago. But at the Capitol, efforts were underway Tuesday to unlock that database.

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Assembly Bill 16 would expand the rules for collecting DNA samples, which have dropped by several thousand hits on cold crimes since Californians approved Prop. 47 in 2014.

The family of Doris Derryberry was at the Capitol on Tuesday, urging lawmakers to unshackle law enforcement when it comes to collecting DNA samples from criminals.

“If it wasn't for the DNA, this crime would not be solved,” said Vickie Bates, a niece of Doris Derryberry, who was murdered at age 13. Derryberry and her best friend Valerie Lane, 12, were both victims of a shotgun slaying from 1973 in Yuba County.

“The DNA clearly didn't discriminate,” said Stanley Van Tasser, a nephew of Doris Derryberry. “In this case it clearly brought justice or a form of justice and it put two monsters behind bars where they belong.”

For four decades, the cold case was unsolved until DNA evidence led to arrests and convictions for Larry Patterson and William Harbour after they were subsequently picked up for drug offenses.

“If people are going to do a crime they need to pay for what they are doing,” said Shirley Derryberry, the older sister of Doris Derryberry. “And most of the time, these little crimes are going to lead to the bigger crimes,” she told KCRA 3.

But matches on California’s DNA database have dropped dramatically.

“There's about 2,000 less hits on the DNA database," Assm. Jim Cooper, D-Elk Grove, said. "And probably about 450 are rapes and murders."

Under Prop. 47, a total of seven crimes were reduced from felonies to misdemeanors, including forgeries, thefts under $950 and some drug possessions. According to state law, no collection of DNA is allowed for those crimes.

“Those girls from Yuba (County) -- if that happened today, we would not get a DNA sample,” Cooper said.

Cooper’s bill would allow law enforcement to collect DNA for crimes with a direct tie to rape and murder -- and only upon a conviction.

Yet, there is strong opposition from the California Public Defenders Association.

“Because people of color are arrested and prosecuted at a higher rate than whites, people of color are disproportionately included in the DNA database.” said Caliph Assagai, who testified on Tuesday on behalf of CDPA.

The American Civil Liberties Union, along with other privacy advocates, are also pushing back against the bill.

"Expansion of the DNA database to minor misdemeanor crimes represents a very serious expansion and a very serious government intrusion into people's lives,” ACLU’s Mica Doctoroff said.

AB16 ran into a buzzsaw of resistance on Tuesday before the Assembly Public Safety Committee. There was heated testimony, but no vote. Right now, AB16 appears to be stalled.